I do not understand how Minkin could refuse to carry out
decisions of the majority of the Gubernia
Committee [1]
I hope this is only a misunderstanding. I insist that at a
critical time of war all should work together harmoniously
with the greatest determination, submitting to the majority,
and that conflicts should be referred to the Central
Committee without interrupting the work.

Notes

[1]In a telegram to Lenin received on the night of August 21, 1918.
S. S. Turlo, Deputy Chairman of the Penza Gubernia Party
Committee, A. M. Buzdes, member of the Gubernia Committee, and
secretary F. V. Veselovskaya, reported on a meeting of the
Gubernia Committee called in connection with Lenin’s telegram of
August 19 (see this volume, Document 158). At the meeting, in reply
to a decision of members of the Gubernia Committee to send a
food official and 50 Lettish Red Army men to suppress the
uprising of the kulaks and to confiscate their grain, A. Y. Minkin,
Chairman of the Gubernia Executive Committee, declared that
he refused to carry out the decision.